Cardiff City defender Juan Cala has been banned for three matches by the FA following improper conduct during his side’s 4-0 loss to Sunderland.
Cala joined the Welsh side from Sevilla in February and was sent off on April 27th against Sunderland for pulling back Sunderland striker Connor Wickham, the challenge also led to his side conceding a penalty.
As a result of the sending off, Cala missed Cardiff’s game against Newcastle in which they lost 3-0 and their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.
After an incident in the tunnel at the end of the Sunderland game, Cala was hit with a further charge and will now miss Cardiff’s final game of the season, a tough game hosting Chelsea and the opening two games of next season.
An official FA statement read: “Cardiff City’s Juan Cala will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after a misconduct charge against him was found proven,
“The charge, which Cala denied, was that his behaviour in or around the tunnel area after the end of Cardiff’s game against Sunderland on April 27 2014 amounted to improper conduct.
“Cala was also fined £12,500 following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.”
By Phil Wellbrook
